COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M is down to two primary contenders to backup Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel with freshman quarterback Matt Davis intending to transfer.

“He's a terrific young man who's done a lot for this program in a short amount of time,” A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said on Thursday in announcing Davis' plans. “We all wish him the very best.”

His exit leaves junior Matt Joeckel and freshman Kenny Hill battling for the No. 2 slot. Davis, a former Klein Forest High star, will transfer to Tyler Junior College, he told gigem247.com. A year ago, Manziel edged Jameill Showers for the starting role, and Showers this summer transferred to UTEP, where he's expected to start.

Manziel's current eligibility is in question, however, because of an NCAA investigation about whether he accepted pay for signing autographs this past offseason. Manziel has participated in every camp practice, though, and early indications are he'll play when A&M opens its season Aug. 31 against Rice at Kyle Field.

Also Thursday, perhaps in partial reaction to the NCAA investigation, SEC coaches voted Manziel — who in 2012 set the league's single-season record for total yards with 5,116 — preseason second-team All-SEC behind Georgia senior Aaron Murray.

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, who's led the Crimson Tide to the past two national titles, rated third-team All-SEC. A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews was the Aggies' lone member on the first team, while receiver Mike Evans joined Manziel on the second team. Cornerback Deshazor Everett was the only Aggies' defender on the defensive side, rating as a third-team mention.

As for Davis, in December 2011, A&M coach Mike Sherman was in the driveway of the touted quarterback's northwest Houston home when Sherman received a phone call that he'd been fired. Sherman went inside and recruited the dual-threat quarterback to A&M anyway, and the popular Davis then played a big role in keeping Sherman's final recruiting class intact at A&M.

“Everyone on the team was supportive of me,” Davis told TexAgs.com on Thursday of his decision to transfer. “The hardest thing was shaking everyone's hand and telling them bye.”